Praktica Appreciation Thread

[baachitraka]

Just won bids for Praktica L and Praktica MTL5B for €12.

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[cuthbert]

Has someone used the VLC?

Good question, I'm also looking for a VLC, for what I understand it's the last offspring of the Exakta system.

Just won bids for Praktica L and Praktica MTL5B for €12.

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Good luck with them!

 

[Lee Rust]

Probably the same as Jims camera one of the FX range.

Yes, I looked up the FX and that's the same type. Takes me back.. Thanks!

 

[iulian]

Just won bids for Praktica L and Praktica MTL5B for €12.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Congrats!

First test is how it performs at all shutter speeds. If they sound short (like the 1s sounds exactly like 1/125) try firing it a few dozen times at each speed. Some of them have stiffened lube inside and this sometimes works. Putting it somewhere warm for a day or two also works. Otherwise the CLA should be cheap since they are quite easy to work on.

Hope you'll like them

 

[iulian]

Please don't do. It is a academic question anyway.

I'm a chemical engineer. It's not academic to me

 

[Sewin]

cuthbert , Nice pictures from a good set of lenses.

I tried to get a VLC2 a few months ago when I was looking for a 35mm waist level finder camera,they are quite hard to get in the UK and the ones that came up on fleabay were quite pricey.

The finders are interchangeable with the Exakta RTL1000, which is a good alternative.

In the end I got an Exa 1A with a couple of finders at a very good price from Germany( less than £10). Solid basic little camera, the mirror is the shutter.

 

[AgX]

To me the EXA 1A is rather a oddity. But, yes a cheap way to get a basic waist-level 35mm SLR.

 

[Sewin]

To me the EXA 1A is rather a oddity. But, yes a cheap way to get a basic waist-level 35mm SLR.

I agree, I originally had an Exakta but the shutter failed, speeds were out too,so I looked for a cheap body in the Exa, Exakta range to use the lens and finder on and picked up the EXa 1A.

It's a solid little thing, I've not used it yet, but hope to get around to using it soon.

The current lens I have on it is not very good, E.Ludwig Meritar and does not stop down automatically. So I'm on the look out for an automatic lens, even the Domiplan is a much better lens and is cheap to buy.

 

[tih]

The first SLR I used was a Praktica, way back in the 8th grade, in 1975. Our school had two of them, and a darkroom with a couple of Meopta Opemus III enlargers. B/W photography and darkoom work was offered as an elective subject, which I took. The Praktica was big, heavy, and built to withstand the rigors of school (ab)use. I once dropped it, while standing on a ledge that was taller than me, and the camera must have fallen some ten or twelve feet before hitting the tarmac below. It got a dent in the top of the pentaprism housing - but continued to work perfectly.

 

[pentaxpete]

I was given the MTL3 from my Sister-in-Law that I got her for her Son then he never used it and jammed the self-timer -- I managed to un-jam it -- then I had a telephone call from a local Councillor that he was going to the Council Rubbish Tip with some 'Old cameras' a Widow had asked him to dispose and remembered that I messed about with 'Old Cameras; so I rushed there and he gave me her deceased Husband's LTL, LB and Super TL with various lenses -- I gave away the Super TL to a Camera Club member and cleaned up the rest and have used them. I even took some to the Philippines one year instead of my Pentaxes !
LTL + Kodak Elite Extra film
three-Graces by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

LTL + Tamron SP f3.5-4 70-210mm
Tamron Test 03 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

MTL3 + 50mm f1.8 Pentacon, outdated BOOTS ( Fuji) 400 film rated 200 ASA

Glass Abstract by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

 

[f/16]

I've been wanting a Praktica for a couple of years. In April I found a LB on Ebay. The selinium meter gives inconsistent readings so I use a handheld meter. It has a full range of shutter speeds(1 sec-1/1000 + B) and 1/125 flash sync which was really good for its day. The only real problem I have with it is rewinding is really tight-feels like I'm going to break something when I rewind. And a self timer would be nice to have. It's not as smooth and precise as my Japanese cameras. But on the other hand it's not nearly as klunky as my Kiev 4 RF. The Domiplan 50 2.8 that it came with gives good images but build quality and design of that lens leaves much to be desired.

 

[cuthbert]

I was given the MTL3 from my Sister-in-Law that I got her for her Son then he never used it and jammed the self-timer -- I managed to un-jam it -- then I had a telephone call from a local Councillor that he was going to the Council Rubbish Tip with some 'Old cameras' a Widow had asked him to dispose and remembered that I messed about with 'Old Cameras; so I rushed there and he gave me her deceased Husband's LTL, LB and Super TL with various lenses -- I gave away the Super TL to a Camera Club member and cleaned up the rest and have used them. I even took some to the Philippines one year instead of my Pentaxes !
LTL + Kodak Elite Extra film
three-Graces by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

LTL + Tamron SP f3.5-4 70-210mm
Tamron Test 03 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

MTL3 + 50mm f1.8 Pentacon, outdated BOOTS ( Fuji) 400 film rated 200 ASA

Glass Abstract by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Nice pics indeed! Is the LTL like the MTL?

 

[pentaxpete]

The only differences between LTL and MTL3 I can see are the pimpled surface of the MTL3 and that it has a 3mm co-axial flash socket whereas the LTL has only a Hot Shoe -- both have delayed action levers.

 

[cuthbert]

You guys can also tell me if the BCX really has a metal top plate or is it chrome plastic?

 

[AgX]

Pentacon used since 1969 chromed plastic caps. Thus much earlier than Canon.


But I don't know a model designated BCX.

 

[Sewin]

cuthbert,

I've never had a BCX, so I would tend to agree with Agx, but see the last sentence here:-

https://jrhughes.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/the-praktica-bcx-project/

 

[AgX]

Thank you. Yes I found it listed meanwhile (Export Version of the B 200 with modified outer).


One reason I refrained from the Prakticas so far is the confusing amount of models.

 

[baachitraka]

Indeed it is very very confusing.

I stuck with L series though.

 

[cuthbert]

cuthbert,

I've never had a BCX, so I would tend to agree with Agx, but see the last sentence here:-

https://jrhughes.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/the-praktica-bcx-project/

Yes, that's the reason why I am asking, he speaks about metal cover.

I suppose the buttom plate is already metal on my jenaflex because it feels colder and many builders like Fuji kept it in brass for durability reasons.

Thank you. Yes I found it listed meanwhile (Export Version of the B 200 with modified outer).


One reason I refrained from the Prakticas so far is the confusing amount of models.

Yes it appears that for the B series they made many aesthetic variants but it's difficult to understand what's improved.

On the other side in the L series many cameras look the same even if the specs between to say a VLC and a MTL are dramatically different, plus there is no much documentation on the net.

Anyway, time for another 50 mm f1.4 shot, not the best one of the roll, but I hope you'll like it.

 

[AgX]

To my Information it is plastic. Keep in mind that in the chromed Version one might be fooled. To be sure, take it off and do a scratch test inside. One may even see at the inside whether a cap is pressed or moulded.

 

[Sewin]

Plastic, similar to the last of the consumer 35mm SLR's made by Nikon, Canon, Pentax etc. in the mid 80's though to the mid 90's.

 

[Sewin]

I've just added this little rarity from Zeiss Ikon / KW / Pentacon to my collection, Pentona with quite a nice lens.

Apparently the Pentona has a complicated history of manufacture, but it is somehow related to Praktica

 

[AgX]

The cap forms the finder frame and thus got these parallax-marks. Never saw such before.

 

[Sewin]

The cap forms the finder frame and thus got these parallax-marks. Never saw such before.

That's correct. I don't think it was an expensive camera when it came out in the mid 50's, the good thing about it is the lens a 45mm Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

I have never owned a Praktica but in this lifetime I will always believe it's the camera to own.

I was six, in first grade and joined the shool's photo club which was led by the principal. My dad sent me there with a Smena8 - even that camera was big for me as I was tiny back then. The principal promptly sent me home saying to come back if or when I get a serious camera like his own Praktica. I was embarrassed and never went back which, in retrospect, probably wasn't a bad thing.